U.S. military ground war quick victory plan exposed, aiming to replicate the "42-day destruction of Iraq" myth

On March 29, news of the U.S. military gearing up for ground operations against Iran set off global reactions. Unlike the full-scale invasion during the 2003 Iraq War, the Pentagon is now employing a “surgical strike” tactic—without occupying territory or engaging in prolonged warfare, targeting Iran’s oil lifeline, Khark Island, with the aim of achieving a “quick victory in weeks” reminiscent of the 1991 Gulf War. The Washington Post reported on the 28th that the Pentagon is preparing for several weeks of limited ground operations rather than a full-scale invasion. Thousands of Marines and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have already been deployed to the Middle East, with approximately 3,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship, reaching the heart of the Persian Gulf. The Wall Street Journal disclosed on the 26th that the U.S. military is considering adding up to 10,000 ground combat troops, including infantry and armored forces, with a total force size only one percent of that during the Iraq War, completely abandoning the operational model of massing a million troops at the border. The Pentagon’s strategic intent is very clear: to abandon the costly and uncontrollable risks of full occupation and instead focus on an “economic strangulation” strategy. Its core tactical objective directly targets Iran’s southwestern oil-producing region and the vital Strait of Hormuz, specifically pinpointing Khark Island, which is responsible for over 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, deemed the lifeblood of Iran’s economy. Several international media outlets and think tanks have warned that a reliance on the “42 days to defeat Iran” myth could plunge the U.S. into a new strategic quagmire. (Guoshi Zhichongche)